The B97 minibus taxi route between Mbekweni in Paarl and Bellville will be closed for a further three months starting from tomorrow, Friday 26 November 2021.

 

I took the decision to extend the closure of the route after concerted efforts to stop violence between operators affiliated to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (CODETA) failed.

 

Due to incessant incidents of violence, damage to property and a loss of lives post 2017 emanating from route-related conflict on route B97, I published a notice in terms of section 91 of the National Land Transport Act (Act no.5 of 2009)(“NLTA”) setting out proposed actions to stabilise the situation. The proposed actions were set out under Notice 416 of 2021 in Government Gazette 44836 dated 9 July 2021.

 

These actions included, inter-alia, the closure of route B97, the suspension of affected operating licences, the closure of all ranks in the Mbekweni area and the closure of certain loading lanes at the Bellville Public Transport Interchange.

 

The final notice confirming these extra-ordinary measures was published under Provincial Notice 77/2021 and Provincial Gazette 8467dated 23 July 2021, and amended by Provincial Notices 82/2021in Provincial Gazette 8475 dated 6 August 2021 and 111/2021 in Provincial Gazette 8496 dated 23 September 2021.

 

Notice 77/2021, read with Notice 82/2021, stated that the extra-ordinary measures would in place for a period of two months. This was later amended in Notice 111/2021 to refer to a four-month period. The period in respect of which the extra-ordinary measures apply expires today, 25 November 2021.

 

These decisions were taken after a series of efforts by regulatory stakeholders to resolve the impasse between the affected parties had not been successful. The violence had continued unabated and more lives had been lost. These interventions included, inter-alia, several mediation efforts, peace conferences, a pre-arbitration agreement in which both agreed to refer the matter to arbitration and to abide by the outcome thereof and a ceasefire agreement.

 

Regrettably, shots were also fired at law enforcement officers during violent protest action. Protestors demanded that the route be opened for taxi operations. The parties have rejected the option of signing a “bridging agreement” so that the route can be re-opened.

 

The period in respect of which the extra-ordinary measures apply will come to an end today, 25 November 2021.

 

On 23 November 2021, a notice was published in terms of sections 91(1) and 91(3) of the NLTA indicating an intention to close the B97 route for a period of three months with the option of extending the closure for a further period. Interested and affected persons were allowed a period of 24 hours to make representations regarding the proposed actions. One representation was received within the prescribed comment period.

 

The local Paarl Alliance Taxi Association (PATA), which is affiliated to CODETA, and CATA Boland both claim rights to run the B97 route.

 

My Department has put a significant amount of time, money and effort over an extended period into trying to resolve the conflict with the participation of CATA, CODETA, South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Western Cape, the City of Cape Town, Drakenstein Municipality, and the SAPS, but an agreement could not be reached on the route outside of the arbitration process.   

 

It should be noted that the Arbitration Award was only issued after the notice of intention was published. My Department and I are currently in the process of studying the award.

 

It is misleading to suggest that there have been no violence or murders in the Paarl area. It is common cause that the violence between the affected primary associations and the mother bodies to which these primary associations are affiliated has extended to other areas. During September and October 2021, 19 taxi-related murders and 9 attempted murders have been reported.

 

During October 2021, law enforcement officers were attacked by minibus taxi operators in the Paarl area who demanded that route B97 be opened. Golden Arrow Bus Services has also reported several incidents of intimidation on the route.

 

Even during the arbitration process, the option of reaching a “bridging agreement” was proposed but consensus could not be reached.

 

While we accept the fact that commuters have to pay more to get to work and that the livelihood of operators is adversely impacted by the closure, the preservation of human life has to be the most important consideration. The affected/suspended operating licences also authorise minibus-taxi type services on other routes and the holders may continue to provide these services.

 

It is mentioned in the representations that some 20 taxi vehicles have already been repossessed but only 6 operating licences are affected by the closure.

 

We have already agreed that the Department will engage Golden Arrow Bus Services to discuss a possible reduction in fares.

 

In terms of the Transport Contingency Plan that was drawn up at the start of the closure period, additional Golden Arrow bus trips will remain in operation between Bellville and Paarl.

 

Closed ranks in Bellville and Mbekweni

 

The following ranks will remain closed for a further three months from 26 November 2021:

 

Rank	Location
B97	Mbekweni to Bellville and return
Mbekweni rank	Mohajane Street, Mbekweni, Paarl
Mbekweni rank	Shoprite Midway Centre, Mbekweni, Paarl
Unofficial rank	Situated in Bellrail Road, Bellville
Part of Bellville Public Transport Interchange	Long-distance facility in respect of Paarl

 

 

Media Queries:   

           

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka

Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell

Cell: 082 953 0026

Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za